Weekly Round Up: The Other Voices Edition

Time for this week’s round-up of the best of the blog posts which I’ve read over the past week. These are the posts that have moved me, taught me something, inspired me, and which I’ve wanted to share with you. Don’t forget if you have written a post which you would like readers to see, just leave a comment below.

It’s always been important to me on this blog to share voices from outside our breast cancer community; they teach us just as much about dealing with life’s challenges. Here’s a sampling of what I’ve learned this week from writers outside the BC community.

“Why I never go topless”, Tom’s post on dealing with disfigurement touched me this week. It  reminded me of the body image issues many of us face after breast cancer surgery. I applaud him for his honesty and courage in taking steps to overcome this.

Debbie shares some lessons on living from an ALS patient.

Medivizor’s latest post takes a closer look at the diabetes community online.

Heart patient  Carolyn  has written a terrific post on the assumptions (read judging) people make when we don’t look as sick as we feel and check out this great post by Rusty Hoe, a dysautonomia ruminating on the nature of “non-compliance” in medicine.

And now back to the BC blogosphere. 

Jennifer has written a beautiful post which captures so eloquently the bittersweet nature of life.

I really identified with Eileen’s latest post on cancer putting dreams on hold and the re-emergence of a writing dream (for a  slightly different take on this check out Tric’s latest post).

What happens when your best friend is diagnosed with cancer? How do you react? Read one friend’s story on Ann’s blog.

When did you get your first mammogram? Read Katherine’s story.

I am delighted to see that Dr Elaine Schnatter is now a contributor to Forbes; her latest article dissects Chasing Life, a new TV series on ABC Family about a young journalist with cancer.

Ismena writes about the reality of living with secondary breast cancer and despite a recent set-back, her determination to keep going.

The reaction to the Amy Robach interview continues with these posts on the Cancer Curmudgeon, The Risky Body,  Regrounding and Nancy’s Point blogs and as a complementary post read Lulu on language and cliches.

Wonderful post by Elizabeth on self-acceptance and as a companion piece read this post by Dr Matthew Katz.

Some late night musings from Catherine.

A comprehensive and insightful post by Debra on depression.

Good advice in the blogosphere this week from Kimberly on coping with chemobrain,  Jamie on handling hair loss through chemotherapy, Helen on lymphedema, Teresa on neuropathy, Jackie on dealing with breast reconstruction surgery, Alex on the fear of recurrence, Patricia on keeping healthy, Gai on dealing with life’s challenges, advice on Breast Investigators on nipple-sparing mastectomies and Caroline on life with chronic pain.

Are you feeling conflicted about the latest online craze – the Ice Bucket Challenge for ALS? If so, you aren’t alone – check out the latest posts by Renn and Britt.

Beverly shares life lessons from Sanibel Island.

Always so much to learn from Audrey’s blog on creating a healthcare system that cares about patients.

Finally, I leave you this week with a quote from Lisa’s blog to take you through the coming week.

Make the most of this day. Whatever that means to you, whatever you can do. No matter how small it seems to you. Don’t waste it.

Until next week.

Yours with love

Marie xxx